sg8

TITLE: Savage Garden Chapter Eight: I Want You
AUTHOR: Gaia Less
RATING: PG13
SPOILERS: everything through season seven
SUMMARY: Mulder and Scully are living together, finally.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Mulder, Scully, or anyone else you might recognize from the series. They are owned by Chris Carter, 1013, and Fox. I dont own them. No copyright infringement is intended. I didn;t create em, I'm just playing with them. I'll give them back when I'm done. Promise!! Please don't sue me...

All songs belong to Savage Garden.. yeah they rock.. and I'm just borrowing THEM too.. yeah hehe

Archive anywhere, but please get my permission first :) tis as easy as emailing me and saying, Yo, Gaia, I wanna put your fanfic, [title here], on my site, okay? You can even simply cut and paste that sentence into an email document! I will reply with something along the lines of Hey, that's cool. Promote me! Yeah! Sweeeeet. See? Tis VERY easy :) Wowwww. Hehe

notes and such at the end




Chapter Eight
I Want You
by GL

=============
May 8th, 2003

My alarm goes off at precisely 6:30. The radio comes on, and soft music fills the room. I listen to it for a moment, enjoying the warmth and comfort of Fox's arms around me.

Ooh, I want you
I don't know if I need you but
Ooh, I'd die to find out
Ooh, I want you
I don't know if I need you but
Ooh, I'd die to find out
So can we find out?

I smile and wriggle out of Fox's arms and turn off the radio. Morning, Dana, he says, sitting up in bed.

Good morning, I reply. I stand up and walk over to the closet. I have to go back to work today, I tell him.

So I have to stay all alone in this big house all day? he asks, frowning in mock-sadness.

Not *all* alone. Lexie will be here, and Mom will probably stop by later. Maybe Bill and Tara, but I'm not sure, I reply.

He stares at me for a moment. I can read his thoughts. The look on his face clearly is saying, I have to take care of a two-year-old who I hardly know *and* face your family, including your brother, who has, for some reason, held a grudge against me since he met me?

Then he says, You don't mean I have to take care of a two-year-old who I hardly know *and* face your family, including your brother, who has, for some reason, held a grudge against me since he met me?

I laugh out loud.

What's so funny? he demands.

Nothing... except that is *exactly* what I expected you to say, I tell him. And, you have to get used to watching Lexie for the day. If you're going to be a father then you'd better get used to it fast. And Mom likes you. So does Tara. It's just Bill. Tara will keep him calm, and if she doesn't, feel free to bite his head off. I agree, he can be a total idiot sometimes.

The look on his face now registers defeat. All right, you win. Hey, I could be the kind of guy that takes animal heads as trophies and mount Bill's head on the wall! he jokes.

Whatever. Don't hurt him *too* badly. I lean over and kiss the top of his head, and then go into the bathroom to get ready to go.

*****
Great. Wonderful.

One thing about losing Dana before that's really bad now is that I'm here, I don't have a job as of yet, so I get to be the at-home husband (who isn't even the husband yet) *and* take on the duties of Dad and family guy. As in, having friendly conversation with the in-laws (who aren't even in-laws yet). Now, I don't mind two of those in-laws (who aren't in-laws yet) at all. But one of those in-laws (who isn't an in-law yet) hates me, and the feeling is mutual.

Am I making sense? I doubt it. I'm confusing even myself.

I sigh and swing my feet over the side of the bed. I then get dressed and head downstairs to get breakfast.

I sit down at the table and pour myself a bowl of Cheerios, which, thankfully, are *not* old, stale, or moldy. That was one benefit of living here: I didn't have to worry about having an empty kitchen like my old one back in Washington.

Then I stand up and go to the front door to get the newspaper. I sit back down at the table, reading the paper and eating my Cheerios, when someone comes into the room.

Actually, two someones.

Dana and Lexie walk into the kitchen, and Dana reaches across the table to pour each of them a bowl of cereal.

Morning, Daddy, Lexie says, and it takes a second for me to realize she's addressing me.

Oh, morning, Lexie, I reply. I really need to remember my new name: Daddy. It was going to take some getting used to.

Good morning, Fox, Dana says with a smile.

Good morning again, I say as she sits down across the table from me.

Okay. Now, I know you've never spent a whole day being a parent, so I'll give you some background. She takes a breath before continuing. She talks pretty fast.

The house is child-proof, as I'm sure you've discovered, so you don't have to worry about Lexie getting into anything she shouldn't, at least most of the time. She likes to play with her dolls, and she would probably love it if you'd play with them with her, but you don't have to if you don't want to. And of course, she loves to watch A Bug's Life, but if you can get her to watch a different movie that would be great. Lunch at noon, nap at one, I'll be home at around six.

Nod, nod, nod. I think I got most of that... Did she say all of that in one breath? My God.

She pauses a moment to breathe before saying, And... shoot, it's almost seven-fifteen now, I gotta be at the hospital by seven-thirty! She stands up, gives me a quick kiss, says, I love you, I'll see you later, says goodbye to Lexie, and runs out the door.

All while I'm still nodding.

I watch her go in disbelief. Then I turn to Lexie. Does she do that *every* morning? I ask her.

Lexie shrugs. Where's Grammy? she asks.

I say, thinking. Was she supposed to be here? Did Dana say anything about that? Think, Mulder, think! Oh yeah! I remember now... Gramma might come by later. But she's not going to be watching you in the morning anymore. I will.

Lexie says, finishing her cereal. May I please watch Bug's Life? she asks me politely.

I smile. I start to say, Sure, go ahead, and then I remember what Dana said. Something about watching a different movie maybe? She said it quite fast, and, I admit, I kinda got lost in there. But I do clearly remember if you can get her to watch another movie. So I say, Why don't we watch a different movie, Lexie?

But I wanna watch Bug's Life, she says, crossing her arms.

I take her hand and lead her into the living room. Come on, you have all of these other movies. Do you want to watch... --I pull a movie off the shelf-- The Lion King?



What about Toy Story?

No thank you. I want to watch Bug's Life.

Even when she was complaining, she was polite. Geez, Dana sure brought her up well. She probably knew that if she was nice, she would get her way.

So I let her have her way. I put her movie into the VCR and go back into the kitchen to clean up from breakfast.

I can hear Lexie in the other room as she says the lines that she has committed to memory aloud. I put our bowls in the sink, and realize that *I* could already say the lines along with the movie myself.

Oh, God.

I'm becoming a Daddy.

*****
I park my car at the hospital and walk inside. I can't help but think about Fox. I hope that he does okay with Lexie and my family, if they stop by. I *did* give him his instructions on taking care of her pretty fast... I smile and shake my head. Oh, well. I'm sure he'll do just fine. At least, I hope so.

Maybe I should have taken a few more days off of work, to help get him situated. No, I tell myself. Fox is a grown man, I don't need to take care of him as if he's a little kid. He used to be an FBI agent, so I'm sure I day taking care of a three-year-old and hanging around the house with my family shouldn't be such a challenge to him. Okay, maybe it will.

I *really* need to stop worrying about him.

Hi, Ann, I say, walking over to her.

Hey, Dana, Ann says. How are you doing?

I'm fine. When I see the concerned look on her face, I add, Believe me. I'm really all right. Fox-- I cut off, realizing I didn't tell Ann about Fox, besides that he was my partner in the FBI.

Is he staying with you? Ann asks.

Uh... yeah. Yeah, he's a big help to me, I answer, trying to cover the nervousness in my voice.

she says quietly. Is there something else? Is something else bothering you?

I sigh. Yes, Ann, I guess there is. But right now... I don't want to talk about it. I can't, not here.

She nods understandingly. she agrees. Well, I gotta get back to work. I'll see you later.

I say, heading off to get to work.

~*~

A Few Hours Later

I finally get a chance to take a break at around one. As soon as I sit down, my cell phone rings.

Hi, Dana, it's me, Fox says.

Hi, me, I reply with a smile. How are you doing?

Okay. I just put Lexie down for a nap.

Is she being good for you?

he answers. You know, this isn't as hard as I thought it would be.

I'm glad. Have Mom or Bill come over yet?

Fox replies. I can hear a little relief in his voice, and I have to smile.

I glance at my watch again. Well, I gotta get going, my break is almost over. I love you, Fox.

I love you too. Bye.

I hang up my cell phone, and look up to see Ann standing in the doorway.

*****
I hang up the phone and walk out to the living room. Just as I'm about to sit down and turn on the TV, there's a knock on the door.

I stare at the door for a moment, wondering if I should open it. Is Bill out there? Was he going to go crazy that *I* was here and answering the door, at Dana's house? I take deep breath. After all, it might just be Mrs. Scully.

I open the door.

It's *not* Mrs. Scully.

It's not Bill, either. But close enough. It's Tara. But at least she doesn't hate me.

Hi, Tara, I say.

Oh, hi, Fox, she says. I don't think she was expecting me to answer the door. Not a good sign.

Bill comes up to the house, followed by Matthew. Where's Dana? he asks me by way of a greeting.

She's at work today, I reply coolly, trying not to make it sound mean. She'll be back at around six or so. I get an idea. Why don't you come by for dinner tonight? At seven or so?

Tara glances at Bill, who shrugs indifferently. We'd love to, she replies for him.

*****
Ann gives me a questioning look, and then crosses the room to sit down across the table from me. Obviously, she'd heard me say, I love you, Fox.

I blush and pull my left hand into a fist, letting my thumb rest on top of the ring. I stare down at it, and then look back up at Ann. What's going on, Dana? she asks me.

I sigh. No more hiding. All right. I didn't tell you everything about Fox, I admit.

Okay. Spill it, Dana, she says, hiding a smile. She tries to feign annoyance, but it doesn't quite work. Well, that's what best friends are for, I guess.

I try to think of how to tell her this. Four years ago... Back when I was in the FBI, Fox and I were partners. We had been partners for about seven years, when I realized something. I was in love with him. I told him this, and we... well, he told me he was in love with me, too. But... we got in a fight about something really stupid, and I left, and I came here, to Ohio. But the last time... after my last fight with David, I went to Fox's apartment back in DC. And I realized how much I missed him, and that I never stopped loving him. I smile. I told him that. And... he asked me to marry him.

Wow. It felt really good telling her that. Almost--no, better that it had felt telling her that David had proposed to me.

Much better.

Really? Oh, Dana... Ann cries, standing up and giving me a hug. Why didn't you tell me?

I was afraid that you'd, oh, I don't know... that you'd say something like, But what about David?' I shake my head. David's dead. And it's better off that way.

Hey, hey, Dana, don't get mad. I wasn't going to say that. You're doing what your heart tells you to do. If it seems right, then go for it, she says.

Why does that sound so familiar?

Oh.

My.

That's what Missy told me, so many years ago.

I smile. I say. Well, my break is just about over. I better get going.

Me too. And thanks for telling me, Dana.

Hey, that's what friends are for, I reply with a smile. See you. I stand up from the table and walk out of the room.

*****
6:12 pm

I hear the front door open and close. Dana calls brightly.

I call back from the kitchen.

I hear Dana's footsteps as she walks toward the kitchen. Oh. You're cooking, she says, and I turn away from the stove.

I reply, seeing the bags of groceries that she's carrying. Oh... Sorry. I was going to call you again, but I was afraid you were busy.

Oh well. We can save it for tomorrow. Something smells good anyway, she says, setting the bags down on the counter and leaning in the doorway and grinning. She looks around. Where's Lexie?

Um, she's in the other room. She's watching The Little Mermaid'.

'The Little Mermaid'? she repeats incredulously. Not A Bug's Life'?

I reply, turning back to the spaghetti sauce.

Geez... you're turning into Wonder Dad or something.

Am I? I ask, wiping my hands and walking over to her. I put my arms around her and give her a kiss. She smiles up at me, and asks, So, why are you cooking, anyway?

Oh. Tara and your brother stopped by earlier, but left when they realized you weren't here. *But,* I say, I invited them to come by for dinner.

You did? she asks, her eyes widening. Gosh. I am very impressed, Fox. She smiles, but doesn't say anything else. Then she lifts herself up on tiptoe to kiss me again. Well... when are they going to be here?

In about... a half hour, I say, glancing at the clock behind her.

Okay. I better go change. I'll be down in a bit.

I smile at her, and then turn back to the spaghetti.

*****
That man amazes me. He simply amazes me.

Maybe that's why I love him so much. I can't believe how easily he told me that Bill and Tara were coming for dinner. He's hated Bill for years. Was he being serious? Or was he just trying to impress me?

Oh well. Either way, I love him for it.

I smile and open up my closet. I find something comfortable but nice to wear, quickly get dressed, and then hurry back downstairs. Do you need any help? I ask Fox when I go back into the kitchen.

Nope, I have everything under control. You still sound like you don't believe that I can cook, he tells me with a grin.

I guess I don't. I don't think I saw you ever once cook before these past few days, you know that?

Lexie cries, running in from the other room.

Hi, Lexie, I say, picking her up and giving her a hug. Did you have fun with Daddy today?

Yeah! I didn't watch Bug's Life, Mama! Daddy showed me a movie about a little mermaid!

Really, sweetie? Did you like it?



Even better than Bug's Life?

Yeah! Mama, this movie was about a *mermaid!* she cries, as if I'm supposed to realize that mermaids are so much better than bugs now.

I smile. Did Daddy tell you Uncle Bill and Aunt Tara are coming over tonight? I ask her, glancing at Fox.

Aunt Tara's coming? she cries happily. Are they gonna bring Matt?

I think so, I reply. You better go get cleaned up for dinner, sweetie.

Kay, Mama! Lexie cries, scampering off.

Wow. Fox, you could win the Dad of the Year Award or something, I say with a grin.

You really think so? he replies, checking his reflection on the microwave. He picks up a pitcher and holds it the way he could hold a trophy. My acceptance speech could run along the lines of: I'd like to thank the most important person in the world to me, my lovely wife, Dana. Because without her, this award just wouldn't be possible.' And you could run up onstage with Lexie, and--

Oh shut up. Don't get so full of yourself, I joke. Now, you get upstairs and clean up, too. I'll finish dinner up.

He kisses the tip of my nose, and leaves the kitchen.

On his way out, I hear him mutter, Dad of the Year Award...

*****
The phone rings when I get into the bedroom. Dana calls from downstairs, Fox, can you get that up there?

I say. The phone rings again, and I pick it up. Mul--Uh, hello?

Oh, Fox. Hi. It's Tara.

Oh, hi, Tara, I say. What's up?

I hate to tell you this at such short notice, but we're at the airport right now. Bill had to get back out on the next flight. So, obviously, we won't be joining you and Dana for dinner.

Oh. Um, well, that's all right. If you have to leave, then you have to leave. But we will see you back here for the wedding, won't we?

Of course! Well, Bill's trying to hurry me, so I'll let you go. Tell Dana and Lexie we said goodbye.

Okay. Bye, Tara.



I hang up the phone, and then I pick it up again. I have another idea.

*****
I finish up the spaghetti. At that exact moment, Fox comes downstairs, and there's a knock on the door. It's not quite seven yet... Bill and Tara must be early.

Got it, Fox says. He opens the door, and lets Bill and Tara in.

Scratch that. No he doesn't.

He lets my mom in.

Hi, Mom, I say. I didn't know she was coming over, too.

Hi, Dana, she says, giving me a quick hug. Then she goes into the back room, where Lexie is playing.

Fox pulls me aside. Who called before? I ask him.

Tara and Bill. They had to leave.

Oh. But--Mom?

She's taking Lexie out for dinner. I thought we could have a quiet, candle-lit dinner... alone... he says with a mischievous smile.

My mouth opens slightly, and a smile plays on my lips. Then I reply just as mischievously, Just dinner?

~*~